OFFICIAL'S PROCEDURE MANUAL

The International Ice Hockey Federation is pleased to introduce the updated version of the IIHF Officiating Procedures Manual (OPM) on June 15, 2009. This manual has been updated by the IIHF Officiating Committee in co-operation with the IIHF Office. In the new version you will find tips for game officials regarding different items of officiating. The updated OPM contains the materials and tips combined from different IIHF championships and events including the World Championships which have been collected by IIHF referee supervisors. Section “Positioning” contains the adjustments due to the rule changes which will come into effect from July 1, 2009.

The material will be interesting for game officials of different levels, national association referee-in-chiefs, national association instructors and all people who want to become a game official or who want to improve their skills.

The IIHF Officials Procedures Manual is available for all game officials to reference as a guide at games. Download the full version (PDF, 10.8 MB) or click on the sections below.

FOUR-MAN OFFICIATING PROCEDURES

After operating the Four-Man Officiating system at the Continental Cup, European Champions Cup and the World U20 Championship at the start of the 2008 season; and taking into consideration that some nations will begin to use this officiating system in the near future and at the 2008 World Championship, the IIHF has published a Procedures Manual for the Four-Man system. The manual contains some procedures and guidelines that were implemented in the above mentioned IIHF events. This material should be useful for officiating staff members in the various countries that are looking at implementing the Four-Man system and the Directors of Officiating of national leagues and also the IIHF Game Officials.

VIDEO GOAL JUDGE SYSTEM

The use of the Video Replay of disputed goals is approved by the IIHF and is included in the Rule Book. All available television pictures must be provided and used by the Video Goal Judge for this system.

The following situations are the only situations that will be subject to Video Goal Judge review:

To determine if the puck has completely crossed the goal line.

To determine if the puck entered the net prior to or after the goal frame was dislodged.

To determine if the puck entered the net prior to or after expiration of time at the end of a period or the game.

To determine if the puck was directed into the net by a hand or kicked into the net by a skate.

To determine if a puck deflected into the net off of a game official.

To determine if the puck was struck with a high stick, above the height of the crossbar, by an attacking player, prior to the puck entering the net.

To establish the correct time on the official game clock at the point that the puck completely crossed the goal line, provided that the game time is available on the Video Goal Judge's monitor.

Enclosed are the operation procedures and the technical requirements of the IIHF Video Goal Judge System, which is used in various IIHF events and the Olympic Winter Games.

GOALTENDER EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENTS

The IIHF updated measurement standards for goaltender's equipment, which affect goalies primarily from the waist down. These equipment standards are written in the spirit of 'fair play' and are a supplement to the IIHF Rule Book.

If at any time the IIHF feels that this spirit is being abused, the offending equipment will be deemed ineligible for play until a hearing has ruled on its eligibility.

RULES BULLETIN

Since the 1999-2000 season, the IIHF has worked to improve the quality of the game and the safety of the players while ensuring that the contests are played within the rules governing the sport to promote the positive image of hockey, and to give the opportunity for players to use their skills for the benefit of fans to witness great performances on the ice.

Each year, the IIHF has prodeuced an IIHF Rules Emphasis Bulletin, highlighting the rules which we should focus on in order to acheive this goal. The bulletins are written for the benefit of our game officials, players and coaches participating in IIHF competitions.

VIDEO: IIHF OFFICIATING STANDARD

GAME OFFICIALS HANDBOOK

The IIHF Game Officials Handbook was created to help game officials prepare to officiate at IIHF competitions.

A game official must be prepared mentally and physically for a demanding but enjoyable schedule of hockey games and activities. Officials should be in excellent physical condition and fully prepared to perform at the highest level.

Once a game official confirms his/her participation in an event, it is suggested that they contact their national association to discuss their particular assignment with the Referee-in-Chief, and that they visit the IIHF web site www.iihf.com to learn more about the specific competition.

OFF-ICE OFFICIALS' HANDBOOK

This publication is intended to provide suggested structures, personnel, responsibilities and procedures for the operation of a hockey game by the assigned Off-Ice Officials. We believe that this publication will be useful to Member National Association (MNA’s), leagues, clubs and organizers operating games under the jurisdiction of a member national association. As such, any MNA, league or club can alter any portion of this document to conform to their own needs and purposes.

The Off-Ice Officials’ Handbook provides guidelines for the responsibilities, duties and procedures to be followed and applied for a Scorekeeper, a Timekeeper, an Announcer, the Goal Judges and the Penalty Box Attendants.

The responsibilities, duties and procedures for the Off-Ice Officials assigned to an IIHF competition are contained in separate documentation that is available from the IIHF Office.

IIHF CASE BOOK 2014-2015

The IIHF Case Book is a supplement to the IIHF Official Rule Book. It is comprised of rule interpretations and clarifications, Referee and Linesmen guidelines, techniques and instructions.

It also provides players, team officials, and the media with clarification of the playing rules.Situations often develop during the course of a game that require specific rulings or interpretations, and an attempt has been made to provide an explanation that is compatible with the spirit and intent of the rules of ice hockey, and the standard of sportsmanship that players, team officials and game officials must recognize and accept.

IIHF Officiating Development Program (NEW)

In order to assist member national associations (MNAs) in working out their national associations’ officiating development program, the IIHF Sport Department in co-operation with the IIHF Officiating Committee and with national associations that have already collected vast experience in running such programs, launch this new section that will deal with publications devoted to officiating development. Materials put under this section will be interesting for the national associations’ officiating staff, instructors and all persons who are in charge of on-ice game officials development.

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Assistance for national association instructors

In order to assist national association instructors in ice testing of their game officials, the IIHF Sport Department in co-operation with the IIHF Officiating Committee published documents concerning ice testing of the game officials.